Letters: Backtracking on precinct consolidation
Nassau County's newest police recruits hit the streets last week for the first time without some required equipment like raincoats and traffic vests, which union officials said could potentially put the rookie officers in danger and hurt morale. This cop car is pictured on Aug. 14, 2013. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
With the Nassau County government and upper police management, once again it's the tail wagging the dog ["Nassau restores precinct," News, Oct. 31]. They just realized that the idea of consolidating eight police precincts into four was not saving the county the $20 million annually that they said it would.
The legislature's budget review office said there was no savings because of retirement termination pay and overtime costs. How could the county not plan for police officers retiring when they're eligible? How could county officials not think there would be higher overtime costs as a result?
This consolidation was a bad idea from the start, with poor planning and no foresight. If it was saving money, county officials wouldn't have reversed their decision. Can we please start putting someone competent in positions of importance in this county?
Don Hagan, Wantagh
Editor's note: The writer is a retired Nassau County police detective.
Again, the County of Nassau takes one step forward and four steps backward. One example is the restoration of Elmont's Fifth Precinct to a full station house.
Another example is that after all the hoopla of installing cameras in front of schools, they are going to spend more money installing flashing lights at speed-camera sites ["Riled by the cameras," News, Oct. 31]. Meanwhile, Nassau's budget is unsound.
Ann Marksteiner, Levittown
